Energy Minister Rokas Masiulis says that Sunday's visit by John Boehner, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, to the Klaipėda liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal shows that Lithuania's efforts to ensure energy security are recognized and valued.

"It was a get-to-know visit during which Boehner was informed about the results achieved by Lithuania in its efforts toward energy independence. The LNG terminal and the opportunities it is opening up, as well as the gas market situation in the Baltic countries and the surrounding region were presented to the US delegation," Masiulis told BNS after a meeting with the speaker.

Masiulis and Boehner also discussed possibilities for increasing US gas supplies to other countries, thus increasing competition in the global gas market.

"US business people are currently making active efforts to reduce gas production costs and increase their competitiveness, which is healthier for the whole world," he said.

The minister said that they had not discussed any specific issues regarding US natural gas supplies, noting that these issues were to be dealt with at the company level.

"Specific issues were not discussed. We just presented our situation. But we treat this visit as a great support for Lithuania and understanding that our energy strategy and our serious approach to energy security is welcome," he told BNS.

The minister said Boehner was the highest-ranking foreign official to ever visit the Klaipėda LNG terminal.

Boehner, who last January was elected to his third term as Speaker of the House of Representatives, is accompanied on his visit to Lithuania by a delegation of seven members of the US Congress.